Our personnel on board the crashed helicopter, reveals an NNPC official

The helicopter operated by East Winds Aviation that crashed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Thursday was carrying personnel of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.

In an official statement, NNPC spokesperson Olufemi Soneye confirmed that the NNPC was involved in the attack on the helicopter.

The Sikorsky SK76 aircraft, registration 5NBQG, had taken off from the Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) en route to the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN drilling platform when it went down at 11:22 a.m. over the Port Harcourt waterways.

Odutayo Oluseyi, spokesman for the Ministry of Aviation and Space Development, revealed that there were eight people on board at the time of the crash.

Authorities said in a statement that the plane crashed into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean, adding that rescue operations had been launched.

Soneye, however, did not confirm the names or identities of the NNPC officials present in the helicopter.

“On October 24, 2024, at approximately 11:22 a.m., we lost contact with a helicopter with registration number: 5NBQG, engaged by NNPC Limited, which took off from the Port Harcourt NAF base on the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN route. The helicopter was operated by East Winds Aviation.

“There were 8 people on board (6 passengers and 2 crew members). Relevant authorities were contacted, including the Ministry of Aviation, which issued a press statement. Search and rescue missions are currently underway. Three (3) bodies have been recovered so far.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and provide regular updates as events develop. We join in prayers with the passengers, crew and their families at this very difficult time. We assure you that we will continue to do everything we can to support the ongoing search and rescue operation,” he added. Soney said.

History

It was earlier reported that three people died in a helicopter crash in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

Odutayo Oluseyi, spokesman for the Ministry of Aviation and Space Development, confirmed the incident in a statement on Thursday.

According to the statement, the helicopter had eight people on board and was making a routine flight from a military base in Port Harcourt to an oil platform when it crashed into the Atlantic Ocean. The ministry confirmed that three bodies have been recovered so far and the search for the remaining passengers continues.

“The Sikorsky SK76 helicopter with registration 5NBQG and operated by East Wind Aviation was en route from Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the NUIMANTAN oil platform,” he added. the statement reads.

A plane with eight people on board crashed into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean.